MAN CITY 1 – 0 Swansea – PLAYER RATINGS
28 Oct
Hart - Made a pair of excellent stops to deny Michu when the scores were level. Otherwise, in a match of few chances, he was hardly called into action - 7
Richards - Suffered what looks like, but will hopefully not be, a very serious injury, one which could keep him out for a number of months. Hadn’t had his best game, losing concentration in defence and not able to provide too much of an attacking thrust, but his absence will be felt - 6
Kompany - Looked far more assured on the ball than he did against West Brom and he seemed to be a yard sharper than in previous matches. His intercepting and reading of the game was solid but still lacked that aerial authority - 7
Nastasic - Oozes control and comfort when in possession and his positioning throughout was good. Stepped up at the perfect moment to catch Michu offside on one occasion - 7
Clichy – Worked tirelessly, pressing high up the pitch and offering a wide outlet on the left, especially in the second half. Didn’t have to do too much defending - 7
Barry - In the second half, his display was reminiscent of his consistently excellent performances last season, sitting in front of the defence and mopping up every loose ball before giving it to more technically gifted teammates. Worked hard and will enjoy a rest after three games in a week - 7
Y. Touré - His first half showing was terrible, constantly taking ten touches on the ball when two would have sufficed and thus slowing down our tempo. Improved after the break when he exerted his presence to a greater degree - 6
Nasri - A bright spark after the break when he dropped a touch deeper to find more space and time on the ball. Looked one of the most likely City players to create chances - 7
Kolarov - Contributed absolutely nothing in the first half from a more advanced role, although he did, bizarrely, spend a few minutes on the right of midfield. Sadly, he can’t kick the ball with his right foot so it made no sense. His free-kick at the end of the half was up there with the worst set-pieces seen - 4.5
Tévez - Lifted the team in the second half with a vibrant, purposeful showing, displaying his battling spirit and quality on the ball. Scored a wonderful goal, providing the one real moment of class in the game - 8
Aguero - Reunited with his fellow Argentinean up front but looked off the pace and sluggish. Worked hard in the twenty minutes after the break to help inject some drive but it wasn’t his greatest day - 5
Subs
Balotelli – His introduction changed the game, giving the Blues a pacy option up front which forced Swansea’s defence to drop deeper, thus creating more space for Nasri and Tévez in which to work. Balotelli tried hard, holding the ball up well down the right but could only flash his one opportunity over the bar - 6.5
K. Touré – Replaced Richards and made a couple of important clearances - No time to mark
Lescott - Got his head onto a few crosses in the final minutes - No time to mark
100% agree with assessment of Toure, who hasnt been himself last few games, including not carrying the ball the same. An immense player no doubt, but something doesnt seem right to me
Let’s hope Yaya’s performance was due to fatigue. Because if it is due to the comments made by his agent for seeking new challenges, etc, then City should let him go [as much as It pains me to say so as I do like the player].
No player is above the club and if they do not understand this, then they should be given the boot.
I too have been wondering if its due to his agents comments, or is it just a natural dip in form? One final possibility is that hes carrying an injury, as Mancini is always very reluctant to rest him no matter the situation.
He’s earned the right to have a few sub-par games without being unduly criticised, but the worrying thing this season is that he seems to have settled at a level where his better games are only at or around the average level that he achieved last season. We are having to settle for a situation where we are pleased when this happens and when it doesn’t, the team simply doesn’t tick in mid field. We are not seeing the explosive, destructive runs into the box but more damaging we are not seeing him strut his stuff with one touch control and inspired passing, orchestrating the game from the middle of the park.
We need that back at least as much as we need David Silva back.
We also need at least one of the two injured DMF’s back, these are both players comfortable on the ball, who can provide a defensive cover and with Barry a springboard. Barry on his own is starting to look threadbare.
I think at times early on in the season he did look in and around is best form, it was only after the madrid game in mid september where we were all eulogising about him. For me its been since then, and while i completely agree that he is allowed a dip in form without criticism, it must be said that the scale of the drop and the lack of positivity in his play is alarming
Sometimes this happens when there is no competition for your spot and you are considered a de facto starter. With all said, he has been playing almost every game and I would prefer to think that is due to fatigue. Even David Silva has been very poor since the start except a the last game before international break.
Mancini should rest him here and there and give youngsters such as Razak a chance a bit more.
Personally i think Silva was good-very good for last 3 games before international break but i dont want to side track. I too would like to see a player like Razak come through, but if he is only good enough for Charlton’s bench at the moment while also taking into consideration what I have seen of him, I would suggest at the very best that its too soon. Somehow though Toure does need a rest at the moment though IMO
yeah i know, proof read